Renewable news from East Africa.

Going green or coal? Kenya stuck at a crossroads on energy generation.

The push for coal-fired electricity generation leaves Kenya’s quest to go green at a crossroads. This has created a stark contrast for a country thinking and actually going clean while at the same time sanctioning dirty sources. The bid to put up the three-unit, 981-megawatt (MW) Lamu coal plant has received mixed signals with those criticising the venture pointing at its possible dent on Kenya’s path to clean energy as well as a costly move that may further complicate the country’s vision for cheaper power if allowed to sail through ..Read the full article here

Uganda commissions 10MW photovoltaic solar power plant in Bufulbi

Uganda has commissioned a turnkey 10 MW photovoltaic solar power plant in Bufulbi, southeast Uganda. It is the first solar power plant in the country equipped with a system that allows photovoltaic panels to move according to the sun’s path.The power plant was built by the Greek company which specializes in solar energy applications, Metka EGN. According to the company the plant will now reinforce the local electricity grid and ensure that locals enjoy a better energy supply that is natural and inexhaustible renewable.Read the full article here

Tanzania, Kenya, and Uneca Enact Environment-Positive Policies And Programs

On Saturday, June 1, Tanzania’s ban on plastic bags went into effect. According to The Citizen, the new law targets the “import, export, manufacturing, sale, storage, supply, and use of plastic carrier bags regardless of their thickness” on the Tanzanian mainland. The law also bans the selling of items wrapped in plastic unless the “nature of such items” specifically require it. The consequences can be severe: The manufacturing or import of the bags have a maximum penalty of 1 billion Tanzanian shillings ($435,000) or up to two years in prison. Even possession of such bags carries a maximum fine of 200,000 Tanzanian shillings or up to seven days in prison. There is also an “on-the-spot” fine of $13, and visitors to the country must surrender any plastic bags in their possession at entry. Tanzania joins neighbors Rwanda and Kenya in the ban on plastic bags Read the full article here
 

Ethiopia: Renewable energy programme targets to install 1,000MW

The World Bank’s board of executive directors have approved $200 million Renewable Energy Guarantees Programme (REGREP) to mobilise International Development Association (IDA) guarantees under a Multi-Phased Programmatic Approach (MPA). The program will support the government of Ethiopia’s ongoing power sector reforms and leverage private sector financing for renewable energy generation. REGREP will support the development of over 1,000MW of Greenfield solar and wind energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects in Ethiopia, including the World Bank Group Scaling Solar initiative.

The REGREP marks the first IDA guarantees under deployment in Ethiopia. Enabled by the 2018 Public-Private Partnership Proclamation, this programme reflects a new way of doing business in the energy sector in Ethiopia - transitioning from continued public-financing towards private sector led competitively tendered procurement of new renewable generation capacity.Read the full article here

24th of June 2019